Study Continues to Show Lasting Reductions in Mitral Regurgitation Across a

Spectrum of Patients

CHICAGO, April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Percutaneous mitral repair using
the MitraClip(R) device may successfully reduce mitral regurgitation (MR)
in patients suffering from functional MR (FMR) over a two-year period,
according to preliminary data from the ongoing Endovascular Valve
Edge-to-Edge REpair STudy (EVEREST) presented today at the SCAI Annual
Scientific Sessions in Partnership with the ACC i2 Summit (SCAI-ACCi2). The
EVEREST trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of the MitraClip device
for the treatment of MR, a condition in which blood leaks backward through
the mitral valve, requiring the heart to work harder and ultimately leading
to heart failure.

The data analysis was based on 23 patients with moderate-to-severe or
severe FMR (grade 3+ to 4+). James Hermiller, M.D., director of the
interventional fellowship program at St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana in
Indianapolis, presented the findings. Dr. Hermiller reported that 83
percent of the 23 FMR patients had successful MR reduction after the
MitraClip procedure. Additionally, the majority (74 percent) of
successfully treated FMR patients showed MR reduction to less than or equal
to 2+ MR. Importantly, the MR reduction was maintained, with a Kaplan-Meier
durability of MR reduction in 89 percent of patients at one and two years.

"The results have surpassed our initial expectations," said Dr.
Hermiller. "This compelling preliminary data suggests that the treatment of
functional MR with the MitraClip may be an effective option for patients."

Other results, showed that at one year, clinical symptoms improved or
stabilized compared to baseline in 92 percent of successfully treated FMR
patients (matched data, n=12). Symptomatic relief was seen in 70 percent of
FMR patients who had a history of heart failure.

In addition to the reduction in MR severity and clinical symptoms, left
ventricular function significantly improved in successfully treated FMR
patients, as defined by objective measures indicating significant reverse
left ventricular remodeling at one year.

All 23 FMR patients were discharged home with self-care after a mean
length of stay of 3 days -- a contrast to surgical treatment which often
requires more extensive in-hospital stays and post-discharge care through
in-home nursing or a step down facility. While the minimally-invasive
nature of the MitraClip procedure is expected to preserve standard surgical
options for patients should they be necessary, 83 percent of the FMR
patients were surgery free at a median follow-up of one year following the
MitraClip procedure.

"It is generally well accepted that percutaneous interventions provide
safer and less traumatic options for patients. We are very pleased with the
low complication rate and percutaneous observed in the initial percutaneous
mitral valve repair procedures," said Ferolyn Powell, president and chief
executive officer of Evalve. "The reduction of MR with durable results and
improved heart function highlight the potential of the MitraClip device. We
believe we are making strides with a new, less-invasive method of valve
repair for both functional MR and degenerative MR patients."

About Mitral Regurgitation

MR is the most common type of heart valve insufficiency, affecting more
than 4 million people in the United States. There are 250,000 new
significant MR diagnoses each year; however only 20 percent, or
approximately 50,000, of these patients undergo surgery each year. The
other 200,000 remain affected by the chronic volume overload caused by MR,
which requires the heart to work harder, ultimately leading to heart
failure.

Additionally, an estimated 5 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed
as suffering from heart failure. Approximately half of these patients
suffer from Functional MR which is associated with a significantly
increased risk of mortality.

About EVEREST

The EVEREST study continues at more than 40 centers in North America
with more than 300 patients treated and nearly 400 MitraClip devices
implanted to date. Investigators are currently enrolling patients in the
randomized arm of the study with the goal of completing enrollment by the
end of 2008.

Enrollment in the study is open to several patient groups:

-- Patients with either degenerative or functional MR

-- Patients who are good surgical candidates and are open to the option of

a less invasive approach

-- Patients who are higher risk surgical candidates but are considered

Percutaneous mitral repair with Evalve's MitraClip device is performed
by interventional cardiologists in the catheterization laboratory. The
heart beats normally during the procedure, and therefore does not require a
heart- lung bypass machine. In addition to improving blood flow through the
heart, the procedure may also relieve symptoms such as fatigue and
shortness of breath that often affect patients with significant MR. After
treatment, patients generally recover quickly. The MitraClip device may
improve quality of life and may help MR patients potentially avoid or delay
surgery, having preserved surgical options (valve repair or replacement)
should surgery become necessary.

About Evalve, Inc.

Evalve, Inc. (Menlo Park, Calif.) was incorporated in 1999 to design,
develop, manufacture, and market innovate devices to enable percutaneous
repair of cardiac valves. The company's initial products are intended to
reduce the risks, trauma and costs associated with current open, arrested
heart surgical options. The company's present development and clinical
efforts are focused on mitral valve repair. For more information about
Evalve, Inc., and for an animated explanation of the Percutaneous Mitral
Repair procedure using the MitraClip device, visit http://www.evalveinc.com.
Evalve is the first portfolio company from the medical device company
incubator, The Foundry (http://www.thefoundry.com).

(Date:10/4/2017)... , Oct. 4, 2017 According to the Centers for Disease Control ... of October . PhysicianOne Urgent Care is helping communities across ... NY , by offering no-cost* flu shots through the end of ... by certain health insurance regulations. ... best time to get a flu shot is by the end of ...

(Date:10/2/2017)... ORLANDO, Fla. , Oct. 2, 2017 AllianceRx ... services company formed by Walgreens and pharmacy benefit manager ... of its new brand, which included the unveiling of ... Fla. , as well as at a few ... introduces the new brand to patients, some of whom ...

(Date:10/13/2017)... ... October 13, 2017 , ... Talented host, actor Rob Lowe, ... in a new episode of "Success Files," which is an award-winning educational program ... investigates each subject in-depth with passion and integrity. , Sciatica occurs when the ...

(Date:10/13/2017)... ... October 13, 2017 , ... “America On The Brink”: the Christian history of ... Brink” is the creation of published author, William Nowers. Captain Nowers and his ... veteran, he spent thirty years in the Navy. Following his career as a ...

(Date:10/12/2017)... ... 2017 , ... Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest growing franchisors ... a flagship location in Covington, LA at 401 N. U.S. Highway 190, in January ... Office Depot in the Holiday Square shopping center. Its location allows it to serve ...

(Date:10/12/2017)... (PRWEB) , ... October 12, 2017 , ... The American ... Excellence to Carol Friedman, PhD, FACMI, during the Opening Session of AMIA’s Annual Symposium ... 8. , In honor of Morris F. Collen, a pioneer in the field of ...